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St. Benedict in Blue Island celebrates 50th anniversary of fish fry

For 50 years, the fish fry at St. Benedict Church in Blue Island has been helping Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent and supporting the parish at the same time.
Nena Ziokowski shakes the hand of a lunch guest. St. Benedict Parish in Blue Island kicks off the 50th anniversary of its fish fry on Feb. 28, 2020. The parish's women's club sponsored the annual event which draws more than 80 volunteers from through the parish and school. Lunch and dinner is served each Friday during Lent along with takeout meals. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
From left, Kim Wheeler and Bea Novoa join another volunteer in battering fish. St. Benedict Parish in Blue Island kicks off the 50th anniversary of its fish fry on Feb. 28, 2020. The parish's women's club sponsored the annual event which draws more than 80 volunteers from through the parish and school. Lunch and dinner is served each Friday during Lent along with takeout meals. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Chris Keating fries fish. St. Benedict Parish in Blue Island kicks off the 50th anniversary of its fish fry on Feb. 28, 2020. The parish's women's club sponsored the annual event which draws more than 80 volunteers from through the parish and school. Lunch and dinner is served each Friday during Lent along with takeout meals. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
St. Benedict Parish in Blue Island kicks off the 50th anniversary of its fish fry on Feb. 28, 2020. The parish's women's club sponsored the annual event which draws more than 80 volunteers from through the parish and school. Lunch and dinner is served each Friday during Lent along with takeout meals. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Mary Tramutolo, 90, plates some fried fish. The parish uses her recipes for homemade coleslaw and tartar sauce in the fish fry. St. Benedict Parish in Blue Island kicks off the 50th anniversary of its fish fry on Feb. 28, 2020. The parish's women's club sponsored the annual event which draws more than 80 volunteers from through the parish and school. Lunch and dinner is served each Friday during Lent along with takeout meals. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Nena Ziolkowski takes a ticket from a volunteer. St. Benedict Church in Blue Island kicks off the 50th anniversary of its fish fry on Feb. 28, 2020. The parish's women's club sponsored the annual event which draws more than 80 volunteers from through the parish and school. Lunch and dinner is served each Friday during Lent along with takeout meals. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Gerry Bruno, 90, smiles as she carries plates of fish and french fries to tables. St. Benedict Church in Blue Island kicks off the 50th anniversary of its fish fry on Feb. 28, 2020. The parish's women's club sponsored the annual event which draws more than 80 volunteers from through the parish and school. Lunch and dinner is served each Friday during Lent along with takeout meals. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Fourth graders from the school eat lunch at the fish fry. St. Benedict Parish in Blue Island kicks off the 50th anniversary of its fish fry on Feb. 28, 2020. The parish's women's club sponsored the annual event which draws more than 80 volunteers from through the parish and school. Lunch and dinner is served each Friday during Lent along with takeout meals. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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